Introduction: Losartan, the angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) exercises its main antihypertensive effect by vasodilatation of peripheral arteries.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihypertensive effect and safety of losartan in patients with mild and moderate arterial hypertension (AH).
Methods: This was an open post-marketing study with losartan as monotherapy in previously treated or untreated patients with AH. Primary efficacy parameter was the percentage of patients that achieved target blood pressure after 8-week treatment with a single daily dose of losartan of 50-100 mg. Safety parameters were assessed according to the percentage of adverse events and metabolic effects of therapy.
Results: The study included 550 patients with AH (59% female and 41% male), mean age 56.8 +/-11.4 years, BMI = 27 +/- 4 kg/m2. Losartan was applied in 31% of untreated and 69% of previously treatment-resistant patients After 8 weeks target blood pressure was achieved in 67.8% (SBP) and in 81.1% (DBP) of patients, respectively. The mean decrease was 21.8% for SBP and 21.1% for DBP (p < 0.001). Out of all, 65% of patients achieved both target SBP and DBP values. Hydrochlorothiazide was added to the therapy in 11.6% of patients. There were no significant differences in drug efficacy between the entire group and subgroups of patients with diabetes mellitus and impaired renal function (p = ns). Adverse events were rare and metabolic effect was favorable.
Conclusion: Monotherapy with losartan in a dosage of 50-100 mg applied during 8 weeks resulted in achieving target values of blood pressure in 65% of patient with mild and moderate hypertension, also including the patients with diabetes mellitus and impaired renal function. Losartan is a safe and metabolically neutral medication.